Yesterday, the gallery hosted the exhibit and auction, United by Love for Life 2 Laredos, benefitting the organization, Manos de Maria. This group forms an outreach program which teaches life skills to the adolescent youth of both Laredos. The event featured artists from the sister cities who donated their pieces for sale to the appreciative audience.

Native Laredoan, Bianca Rodriguez, returns to Laredo for another spectacular evening of Flamenco dance, music and more on September 7th, 2018. Accompanying Bianca will be Californian, Drea Pacot as well as the acclaimed local musical group, Amor Brujo.

Together with members of the community, our local team will be having a live-stream discussion on some of the most pressing issues facing our community in an effort to raise funds for their trip to Austin later this month.

"An Evening at the Opera with Robert Cardwell” is being coordinated by local singer/music instructor Veronica Ramirez, who was Cardwell’s voice and choir teacher at the Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts (VMT).

An hour of songs from various opera classics sung by Cardwell will be followed by a light reception “meet and greet.” Cardwell will be accompanied by Emily Baltzer, a first year Masters student in Collaborative Piano and a Teaching Assistant Accompanist for the University of North Texas Opera Department. She was awarded the Bleeker Music Award and won the University of Northwestern St. Paul 2014 Concerto competition.

After completing his apprenticeship last year, Cardwell sang the role of Sciarrone in Tosca with the Central Florida Lyric Opera. The 2015/2016 season also saw him return to the title role of Mozart’s Don Giovanni with the University of North Texas Opera. Other performance highlights include the title role in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, with the Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival in Italy, the title role of Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia and Baron Zeta in Lehar’s The Merry Widow with the UNT Opera. Other roles with UNT Opera include Tonio in I pagliacci, The Duke in Romeo et Juliette, and The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance.

Cardwell’s awards include the ‘Robin Angly & Miles Smith Award’ at the Lois Alba Aria Competition, Amarillo Opera’s ‘Mila Gibson Fund for Young Artist Awards,’ and the ‘Edward Baird Singer of the Year’ at the Texoma Region Convention of the National Association of Teachers of Singing in 2009.

Robert Cardwell is a graduate of Raymond and Tirza Martin High School and the VMT. He secured his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees in Performance at West Texas A&M University, and is currently completing coursework toward a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at the University of North Texas.

Admission is $15, with proceeds to defray his expenses to attend the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, where he has been invited for the summer.

Alex Casso's Sin Ti, Yo No opening debut was a success! Although rain threatened to hamper the turnout, Laredoans would not be deterred. A huge "Thank You" to those who stopped by. We always enjoy seeing new and familiar faces at all our events! Please enjoy these photos from the opening!

Alex Casso's sin ti, yo no

Opening Wednesday, April 12, Alex Casso's sin ti, yo no exhibit will be on display at the Gallery through Jun 12. There will be a special appearance by pianist Raul Casso on the day of the opening and Alex will be working in-house at the gallery from April 10 to the 12th. Tapas, wine and music will be served and all are encouraged to come and view the exhibit.